The best facilitators in the world have a mastery of questions. They know the right questions to ask that allow the mind to draw solutions and contextually-rich conversations. The best questions challenge the deep-held mental models that often entrench and constrain creativity, optionality, emergence, and personal growth.
Asking great questions to help clients unpack a solution is great… asking amazing questions that challenge the soul are life-changing and challenging.
I was having a coaching conversation with a (very) early-stage entrepreneur and we were going through his deck and presentation. From the context of our conversation, reading the energy levels, and picking out some very interesting comments, I turned to him and asked:
“When was the last time you worked through the night on something?”
He paused. Thought for a moment, shrugged his shoulders and said: “College.”
Wrong answer.
What Do All-Nighters Tell Us?
Studies and personal experience clearly show that the [best work] includes:
joy in the process
working with others
including family or friends
acts of service built-in
achieve flow-state of work
personal satisfaction and sense of purpose
The 3 primary reasons why people quit or give up on a project or leave a job:
feel like they are no longer learning
people issues
no sense of purpose
There is [real] pleasure in deep, focused work. There is a real pleasure in working hard. Iterating. Improving.
We are constantly trying to beat the physics of inertia, overcome resistance.
How bad do you want it?
When you’re confused? Create.
Uncertain of what to do? Build.
Looking for clarity? Create.
Trying to learn? Build.
Feeling lost? Create.
I fully believe in the quest for life change, passion and drive naturally create very late nights. Is this the Founder Mode I’m hearing about?
Obviously, all-nighters aren’t sustainable. But, they do reveal.
Focus. Deliver. Execute. Do.
Every startup requires late nights.
All the best,
ps